A better than average old fashioned English mystery by Margery Allingham writing under the name Maxwell March.

Ms. Allingham, a contemporary of Agatha Christie, was one of the great ladies of the English mystery novel.

Inspector David Blest - young, brilliant and dogged in his investigations - is called in to consult on what appears to be an open and shut case of suicide. Somewhat scandalous, as it involves a young "man about town" taking his life while staying at a prestigious club, there is pressure to simply close the case with as little "bother" as possible. Unfortunately young Inspector Blest has doubts as to the circumstances surrounding the young man's death.

The Inspector, ostensibly on a mandatory vacation, follows a suspect to a busy seaside resort during the height of tourist season and is promptly immersed in an even bigger (yet connected) mystery involving a young invalid woman, several different factions working a confidence game, questionable people who are not who they appear to be, and even more deaths.

Basically the story goes from something of a "who-done--it?" to a free for all of "what-in-the-world-is-going-on?" Along the way the young Inspector becomes infatuated with a young woman, partners up with a retired police sergeant who is desperate for some action, and interacts with an abundance of mysterious characters.

The plot gets a little bit fuzzy at times, there are a lot of characters and more than once I had to refer back to an earlier part of the book to remind myself of who a particular character was... there are so many people running through this novel. It's a good story, though.

If you like the old-style English mysteries you'll probably enjoy Rogues' Holiday.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book

Maxwell Marsh is the pseudonym of Margery Allingham one of the queens of crime from the 20s to the 60s. There were only three novels written under this pseudonym - the other two are: Other Man's Danger (1933) & The Shadow in the House (1936). This novel certainly has the enjoyment factor which many classical crimes give through their connection with the past and how authors & publishers perceived the needs & norms of their readers. The writing style is that of an experienced crime writer and flows nicely making this cosy crime an easy read. However, as an avid classical crime reader, there are flaws in the storyline which may distract the readers enjoyment of this novel. Firstly the story doesn't explain why a 24 year old woman is blindly following her guardian's decision about who and when she should marry. Secondly for such an accomplished author Allingham decides in this novel to make the Inspector fall instantly in love (and totally committed to marriage) with the intended victim after only a couple of hours of knowing each other. This isn't handled in a realistic manner and could annoy readers who are not romantically minded. Over all the book is an enjoyable read but is not one of Margery Allingham's best works as it contains two major flaws. The re-issue of this book would be enhanced if an introduction to the novel and the author had been included. I would give this book 5.5 out of 10.

This was a very disappointing book, a bit of a mess really. it featured completely unbelievable characters, particularly the ostensible heroine, ridiculous situations and very little mystery, unsatisfactorily resolved. People acted in totally unrealistic ways and the coincidences reached Mt. Everest heights, It's little wonder Margery Allingham used a psuedonym.

Rogue's Holiday was written by Margery Allingham under a pseudonym to be serialised as a potboiler because she needed the income before her Campion novels began to make sufficient money. I'm afraid it shows, because there is none of Allingham's later brilliant wit, subtle characterisation or skilful plot development here. It's a clunky, hackneyed book which I got very fed up with.

The story is of David Blest, a brilliant, handsome young Scotland Yard inspector who, unhappy with the investigation of a death in a Gentleman's Club, takes a couple of weeks' leave on the south coast at the hotel where the man he suspects is staying. A frankly, silly plot develops: Blest takes less than a day to fall hopelessly in love with a young woman at the hotel, who is not All She Seems. Naturally, it turns out that the entire business revolves around her, with murder, kidnapping, eccentric wills, sinister outsiders and so on all making their due appearance. The clichés, remarkable coincidences and unconvincing characters continue to mount, culminating in Blest making a Dangerous Last Minute Dash to save his beloved from the clutches of the Evil Enemy. (I obviously wouldn't dream of spoiling the ending by revealing whether he succeeds.)

I read this because I love Margery Allingham's Campion series, which are fine, superbly written novels. However, by about half way through Rogue's Holiday I had muttered, "Oh, for heavens' sake" (I paraphrase) so many times that I began to skim, and really didn't feel I was missing much. I suppose it's right that a book from Allingham's pen should be published, but it's pretty poor and really doesn't do any favours to a genuine great of the genre. My advice: avoid this and stick to Campion.

(I received an ARC via Netgalley.)

Basically, this is not so much a murder mystery as an adventure story.Written by Margery Allingham, I personally like it more than the Albert Campion series. Perhaps a bit old fashioned but nevertheless a wonderful read.